Background

Luke chapter 12 verses 1 to 34 - Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, he (Jesus) began saying to his disciples first of all, " Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. And I say to you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defence, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Then he said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' " Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." And he said to his disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus is giving a contrasting message to that of the religious leaders of the day (see ‘Religious Leaders’ Luke chapter 11).

The religious were concerned about external appearances whilst Jesus sees that they were hypocritical, living a different way internally (Luke chapter 12 verses 1 to 12).

Jesus wants people to live by the Holy Spirit, allowing the Spirit to change them internally and that being expressed on the outside. He wants people to have direction in their lives, seeking his kingdom, the Kingdom of God, before any earthly possessions (verse 31). Life in Jesus does not end in death and being part of the future reality is more important than any current wealth or possessions (verses 4 to 8).

Jesus is asked a question from someone in the crowd wishing him to arbitrate on a family inheritance issue (verse 13). He is asked because he is deemed to be a rabbi, a teacher and therefore someone who could add some wisdom to the issue. However, Jesus does not get involved. It is not his responsibility. It could be an issue that could get him embroiled in conflict and weighed down in something that has nothing to do with his mission. It boils down to wealth and possessions that are not of interest to him.

It is OK to say no, to not get involved, to not take on something that is someone else’s responsibility. The Holy Spirit has things for us to say and do and He will make that clear (verses 11,12). We should not be diverted from that into other actions that are someone else’s responsibility.

Jesus stays on his main theme and underlines the wrong attitude by the parable of the rich man building bigger barns to house his possessions and just living for the immediate time, ‘eat, drink and be merry’ (verses 16 to 21).

What did the rich man do that was wrong? There is prudence, such as having a pension and insurance cover.

However, the man was already rich, he had barns to store his goods. Did he need to store more stuff. He could have given the extra away and still have sufficient to live (verse 33). He lacks a giving heart.

Treasure on earth is about wealth and possessions and status (verses 13, 19). These cause worry.

Treasure in heaven is about the Kingdom of God (verse33).

The ultimate worry is about death (verse 25). Jesus says we can trust God with our lives, what we eat and wear and also resurrection life (verses 22 to 34).

The Children of Israel faced this test in the wilderness (Deuteronomy chapters 12, 13). They needed to trust God and follow Him (chapter 12 verses 1, 8; 13 verses 1 to 3). They were reliant on God for providing their food and drink (Exodus chapters 16,17).

A good test is to consider what we worry about. As our heart is where we find our treasure (verse 34).

Worry causes paralysis. Seeking the Kingdom of God gives vision, purpose and direction.